Able 5B (Pioneer P-31) lunar-orbiter spacecraft family
The Able 5B (Pioneer P-31) family was the third and final U.S. lunar-orbiter probe attempt of 1959-1960. Its Atlas Able booster malfunctioned and exploded seconds after launch on 15 December 1960, sending the payload into the Atlantic Ocean.
Follow this vehicle family
Future launches and major activity directly linked to this vehicle family.
Identity
- Aliases
- Able 5BPioneer P-31P-31 / Able 5BP-31Pioneer 31
- Family Name
- Able 5B (Pioneer P-31)
- Full Name
- Able 5B (Pioneer P-31) lunar-orbiter spacecraft family
- Roles
- orbiterinterplanetary_probetechnology_demonstrator
- Status
- retired
- Type
- spacecraft
Details
- Description
- The Able 5B (Pioneer P-31) family was the third and final U.S. lunar-orbiter probe attempt of 1959-1960. Its Atlas Able booster malfunctioned and exploded seconds after launch on 15 December 1960, sending the payload into the Atlantic Ocean.
- First Flight Year
- 1,960
- Last Flight Year
- 1,960
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 6, 2026 at 20:05:28 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 15, 2026 at 04:18:07 UTC